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Charles H. Roche
Incident
Chief Roche was killed when he was struck by a drunk driver while working an accident scene on Pine Run Road. He was retrieving flares from the trunk of his unmarked vehicle when the driver struck him. Chief Roche was transported to Hanover Hospital where he died one hour later. The suspect was found guilty of DUI and involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to a maximum of 23 months. However, his conviction was overturned by the Superior Court of Pennsylvania.
Survivors
Chief Roche was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Roche served with the Abbottstown / Hamilton Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Abbottstown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Roche.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Charles is the only officer of Abbottstown / Hamilton Police Department remembered here.
Charles is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Charles is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1977, 4 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 44th heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1977, 128 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 36th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1977, 146 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 34th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 48. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Charles was 48. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Charles was 48. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 9.4% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Saturdays: 15.2%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Abbottstown / Hamilton Police Department. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 12-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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